European Citizenship & Residency News
English briefings for the European citizenship and residency tracks hosted on Prep2Go.
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Italy's Housing Crisis: Rising Rents Mirror Spain's Situation, Now on Government Budget Agenda
Italy is facing a growing housing crisis, with rents rising significantly and millions struggling to afford separate accommodation. The situation is being compared to Spain's, and Italian politicians have placed it on the government's budget agenda for discussion of potential support measures.
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German Rental Market Update: Hamburg and Frankfurt See Rapid Increases, Berlin Slows
New data from The Local Germany highlights significant shifts in rental prices across major German cities. Hamburg and Frankfurt are experiencing rapid increases, while Berlin's growth has slowed, a crucial factor for those considering relocation.
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PP and Vox Propose Housing Supply Boost Over Price Controls Ahead of November Elections
Ahead of Spain's November elections, conservative parties PP and Vox have outlined their plans for the housing crisis. Their focus is on increasing housing supply through simplified bureaucracy and private investment, rather than regulating rental prices.
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British Expats in Spain Discuss Potential Changes if UK Rejoins EU
Following the UK Prime Minister's statement on a possible return to the EU, British expats in Spain have discussed potential benefits. Key changes could include the abolition of the 90-day Schengen rule, simplified visas, and restored freedom of movement, impacting work, residency, healthcare, and education.
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Spain's PM Reintroduces Housing Decrees After Parliamentary Rejection
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has announced two new housing decrees, bypassing parliament after similar bills were rejected last week, leading to early elections. These measures aim to address the housing crisis, potentially impacting rental and property purchase conditions across Spain.
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Netherlands: 140,000 Ukrainians to Reapply for Asylum After EU Court Ruling
The European Court has mandated the Netherlands to process individual asylum applications for 140,000 Ukrainians. Previously under EU temporary protection, these individuals must now transition to the standard asylum procedure, impacting their residency status and access to services.
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Portugal's AIMA Offices to Close for 24-Hour National Strike on October 6, 2026
Portugal's Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) will experience a 24-hour national strike on October 6, 2026. All AIMA offices across Portugal will close, impacting services for residence permits, visa extensions, and citizenship applications. Applicants should plan accordingly.
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Austria Temporarily Lifts Work Restrictions for Asylum Seekers
Austria has temporarily suspended work restrictions for asylum seekers, allowing them to access the labor market with fewer barriers while their protection applications are being processed. This aims to provide income and reduce reliance on social services.
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King Harald V Highlights Immigration and Integration as Key Priorities for Norway's 2027 Agenda
King Harald V's Throne Speech for 2027 prioritizes immigration and integration, signaling the Norwegian government's commitment to developing adaptation mechanisms for new residents and fostering equal opportunities.
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Denmark: Citizenship Bill to Re-enter Parliament in First Half of 2027
The Danish government has announced that a previously postponed citizenship bill will be reintroduced to parliament in the first half of 2027. While specific details are not yet available, potential changes could affect naturalization requirements.
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Denmark to Resume Citizenship Processing; January "Freeze" Ending
The Danish government will reintroduce a citizenship bill to parliament that was postponed in January. This signals the end of a period where citizenship applications were effectively stalled, with processing expected to resume.
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Germany's Heating Meter Rules Change in 2027: What Tenants Need to Know
New regulations for heating consumption measurement take effect in Germany on January 1, 2027. Landlords must install or upgrade heating meters; failure to do so could allow tenants to request reduced heating payments.
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Germany Debates Future of Citizenship Test Amid Calls for Rework, Complication, or Abolition
Germany is currently debating potential changes to its mandatory citizenship test, the Einbürgerungstest. Discussions among readers of The Local and political parties explore options from reworking or complicating the test to abolishing it entirely, with no clear consensus emerging.
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Spain's Government to Re-Approve Housing Laws Before Elections, Affecting Tenants
Spain's government plans to re-approve previously rejected housing decrees before early elections. These measures aim to provide temporary protections for millions of tenants, including expats, and could impact rental conditions across the country.
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Portugal's AIMA Agency Staff to Strike on October 6th, Potentially Causing Delays
Staff at Portugal's Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) have announced a strike for October 6th. The Union of Migration Technical Specialists (STM) is demanding better pay, allowances comparable to police, and a clear career structure. This action could slow down the processing of visas, residency permi
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Dmitri Moskovtsev on Estonian Citizenship: A Personal Choice for Family Unity and Influence
Dmitri Moskovtsev highlights the deeply personal significance of Estonian citizenship for individuals residing or planning to stay in Estonia. He emphasizes that it's more than just a status, pointing to family unity under one passport, the right to vote in national elections, and access to public office as key motivat
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Denmark to Reintroduce Stalled Citizenship Bill for 2,055 Applicants in First Half of 2027
The Danish government plans to reintroduce a citizenship bill for 2,055 individuals and their children in the first half of 2027. This move follows political pressure after the application process for these individuals was stalled, aiming to unblock their path to Danish citizenship.
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Sweden: Anti-Immigration Accounts Emerge Before Elections, Potentially Impacting Residency Policies
Anti-immigration accounts linked to an online campaign have been discovered in Sweden ahead of upcoming elections. This trend, reported by The Local, could influence public opinion and potentially lead to stricter policies affecting visas, residency permits, and processing times for applicants.